THE Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) has started to shift from the traditional library operations to a digital library.
The DOST-PCAARRD’s e-Library is an online service facility which can now provide access and information on publications, theses/dissertation, and other literature related to Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (AANR).
Following the various mobility restrictions that were imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of modern technology can efficiently and promptly disseminate and share the AANR and other science and technology (S&T) information, on a 24/7 basis, to the grassroots level of society.
This is an enhancement of its traditional library services to support the Council’s thrust of efficiently and promptly disseminating and sharing AANR and other S&T information to its partners in the research and development (R&D) Network and the general public.
The e-Library is recognized as among the knowledge management tools to capture, codify, share, and apply PCAARRD’s generated knowledge products and resources.
With the availability of information on AANR crucial to the attainment of the national agenda of poverty alleviation, PCAARRD, through the assistance of the DOST’s Science and Technology Information Institute, has developed a library management system designed to facilitate efficient and prompt dissemination, sharing, exchange, preservation, access, and retrieval of its resources.
The PCAARRD knowledge network of libraries has been established through customization and deployment of the Science Library Integrated Management System (SLIMS) to the Council’s R&D consortia for a more effective management and content development of the e-library.
In another development, the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) has already conducted relief operations in the six towns of Mabitac, Siniloan, Pangil, Sta. Cruz, Lumban, and Los Baňos in Laguna.
This was accomplished through the Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) program of the DOST-PCAARRD.
The LSPU-ATBI also supported the farmer-incubatees in the six towns, by providing them with a total of 2,120 mushroom fruiting bags.
According to the LSPU-ATBI’s report, the fruiting bags for the six farmer beneficiaries served as assistance in starting their mushroom business.
Based on the partnership guidelines, half of the harvest of the incubatees in the said mushroom project will be donated to their identified barangays.
This would mean distribution of fresh oyster mushrooms as relief until the end of this month.
The LSPU-ATBI is one of the groups that have been organizing its relief assistance activities to alleviate the situation in nearby communities amidst the COVID-19 crisis.
This initiative is part of the Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan (LINGAP) component of the “GALING-PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19” program under the DOST-PCAARRD pursuant Republic Act 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”
PCAARRD is one of the sectoral councils of the DOST, which is mandated to formulate policies, plans, and programs for science and technology-based R&D in the different sectors under its concern.
It coordinates, evaluates, and monitors the national R&D efforts AANR sector.
It also allocates government and external funds for R&D and generates resources to support its program./PN
